The next Lexus LFA is expected to arrive in 2027, but don’t expect another screaming V10. The new-generation supercar is reportedly being developed as an EV, and Toyota may have found an interesting way to make it feel more like a proper performance car.
A newly discovered Toyota patent describes a system that can simulate gearshifts in an electric vehicle. Instead of simply changing motor output, the system would let the driver select virtual gears and carefully manage torque during each shift.
The clever part is what happens during the change. As per the report, the motor would be designed such that its torque could briefly fall to zero, much like cutting power with a clutch disengaged, before coming back with a little surge, giving the impression of the clutch biting again.
The system could work for both upshifts and downshifts, with different settings altering how aggressive the shifts feel. A sport or track mode, for example, could make them sharper.
It may sound artificial, but if Lexus can make an electric LFA feel this engaging, the lack of a V10 might be a little easier to accept.
Source: Car Buzz